Palace officials said the Asantehene would never indulge in partisan politics. They have therefore called on politicians and the media to leave the name of Otumfuo out of partisan politics.
With the headline, “Otumfuo chooses Konadu over Nana Addo,” the Enquirer newspaper in its edition of May 30, 2011, stated that it had in its possession a secret recording in which the campaign co-ordinator of the Nana Konadu campaign team, Mr Teye Nyaunu, indicated that Otumfuo had endorsed Nana Konadu over Nana Akufo-Addo because she was an Ashanti royal.
According to the newspaper, Mr Nyaunu was caught on the tape saying the Asantehene stated this during a meeting with the NDC flag bearer aspirant, which was attended by some members of the Konadu campaign team at the Manhyia Palace.
Reacting strongly to the report, the Media Relations Manager at the Manhyia Palace, Mr G.B. Osei-Antwi, told the Daily Graphic that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II never had any such meeting in which he made the supposed statement.
He emphasised that the Asantehene would never throw his support for any candidate in a partisan political election in Ghana.
He admitted that the former First Lady was recently at Manhyia and went on to explain that that was during the celebration of the 61st birthday of the Asantehene.
“Otumfuo, on that occasion, invited the former first couple but the ex-President Rawlings could not turn up and was represented by his wife.
Mr Osei-Antwi said the Asantehene did not discuss anything with Nana Konadu about her political ambitions during the event and wondered how things could be turned round in such a manner.
“The linkage of Otumfuo to the story is therefore not correct and must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves,” he stressed.
He, however, said Otumfuo would always support the ruling government to bring quality changes in the lives of the Ghanaian people.
Mr Osei-Antwi said since he ascended the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has shown neutrality in the politics of the nation.
“Indeed, he has been a father for all political parties and politicians and therefore dragging his name into this murky arena will be doing a great disservice to the Golden Stool,” he said.
Mr Osei-Antwi said Manhyia was also not happy about the ethnic connections to the story.
He said Otumfuo’s position against ethnocentrism had never been in doubt because the Ashantehene believed Ghanaians were one people.
Mr Osei-Antwi said the so-called Asante-Akyem division was not in the vocabulary of Otumfuo, adding that it was no wonder the Asantehene’s wife is an Akyem.
He stated that Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was only interested in issues that would bring development to the lives of the people.
“That is why he continues to champion issues on education, health and related areas,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Mr Nyaunu has refused to comment on the story.
He told a Kumasi-based radio station today that nothing could compel him to comment on the story.
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